113 comments on “Lonely as God and white as a winter moon…”

Best site ever!! I live in Dorris and I’ve been looking for a good, short, local hike to introduce my 7 & 9 year old boys to backpacking and wanted an exciting destination. I wasn’t having very much luck before I found your site. I appreciate you including a couple of hike up this way. It looks like I need to plan a trip out to Porcupine Lake soon and a day trip to Hart Lake ASAP. Thanks so much.

I’m curious what the current condition of Horse Camp Trail is. I’m thinking of doing it this weekend connecting to Green Butte as you suggest. Would I be able to handle the hike without snowshoes? Thanks!

Man, I am just not sure right now. The weather has been pretty stormy and I have not even seen the mountain for a week or so because of the clouds. I would reckon that there is going to be some fresh snow up there, but I just can’t be certain. I would come prepared at this point.

Love the website …I’ll check it out in depth more this week. I have not been there yet. Need to plan a trip this summer. Thanks for the like on my site….when I grow up, I want it to look as good as yours ;^)

Thanks Elias! Drop me a line any time. Maybe we can hit the trail sometime, or take the kids out or something! I hope the site is helpful (though it is going to get an upopular revamp at some point in the near future)!

hey Bubba its me again :). so im going backpacking to shasta alone either this weekend or next, any tips on where i can hike and set up camp ?? and anytips on where the vortex points are on the mountain??

I am not the guy to ask about the vortices but I would say that any place out in our natural cathedral is a good place for contemplation. However, that said, I think South Gate Meadow is particularly awesome and looking into Mud Creek Canyon is like gazing into the heart of the mountain. As far as camping, there is dispersed camping almost everywhere up here. Panther Meadow is a great campground, if you can get in, and Bunny Flat is convenient too. I really like camping near Castle Lake and along the Sacramento River, above Lake Siskiyou. However that last is at times over run with “travellers” and they are not friendly to the land over there. If you need more suggestions, shoot me an email and I will help however I can!

Travelers is a polite term for the homeless kids that camp out in that area. Less kind terms are Crusties or Dirtbags. Many of them have coopted that latter term. They shouldn’t be much danger, though I think they can be unpleasant neighbors if some end up camping nearby.

I am looking to hike the summit for my first time. I would like to find a non technical route I can hike with only crampons at most. I would like a route, even if it’s a longer route, that is one of the most greenest or prettiest route with a water source, if that’s even possible. I have done some research but haven’t found any that fit that. For what I am looking for, what routes do you recommend.

I do understand the terrain and I am not expected the Sierras, I know it’s more volcanic at Shasta.

I love your site. It makes me excited about every hike you describe. Moved here, live at Lake Shastina, about a year ago. Visited Mt. Shasta area for 20 years. Have done many hikes in the area. Have a visitor coming and would like the actual current directions to get to Mossbrae Falls. You have that available or should I get that elsewhere? I seem to only find older information. I wish I could have taken that super train ride !! Karla Chandler

Hi Bubba,
First, your site is awesome, which makes me want to hike Shasta all the more. I have completed the Northeast 111 (New England and ADKs 4000 footers). One of my goals is to hike out West and Shasta seems to be calling my name. I bought Steve Lewis’ Mt. Shasta, which has been very helpful, but your site really brings it to life. So bottom line – Before I hit 60 (currently 58), I want to hike this impressive mountain. I have all the gear for winter hiking that I’ve used in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I run at least 3 to 4 miles a day, lift 2 to 3 days a week, and hike whenever I get a chance. I have read that the best time to hike is June through October, and I understand there are permit fees, etc. I read that Clear Creek and Avalanche Gulch are most suitable for those who are novice to the area. My plan would be to hike day 1 to Helen Lake or Horse Camp. So for now I am in the planning phase, and just want to make sure I do everything the right way. As I get closer to the date (probably next year) I am sure I will have very specific questions. My main concern at this early stage is whether there are vacancies at Helen Lake or Horse Camp? How far ahead of time do I need to set a reservation. I would like to stay in the area at least a week to get a window of a few acceptable, clear days. Thanks for this wonderful site.

We’re heading to the area for the month of July and really want to do the Deadfall Lakes hike. We did it last August (a drought year) and wonder if this year in July we’ll hit snow. Any idea what the trail is like now? Thanks!

Suggestions please…I’m bring 8 people I work with to the area June 9. Would like to showcase the area and see some sights. Previous hikes were to Faery Falls. This time we are planning on going to McCloud middle falls. Would like a suggestion for a hike of 1-2 hours. After, we will want to have a meal, perhaps in McCloud. His is the first visit to McCloud for these people.

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